Signal-lamp.



G. P. BOURDELAT.

SIGNAL LAMP,

APPucATmN FlLED AUG.9.1916.

Patented Nov. 13,1917.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

O M 0 m 3 Ade/a? G P. BOURDELAT.

SlGNAL LAMP.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.9,19\6.

Patented Nov. 13, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- GEORGE P. BOURIDELAT, 0F ABERDEEN, NORTH GAROLINZA.

SIGNAL-LAMP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 13, 1917.

Application filed. August 9, 1916. Serial No. 114,010.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, Gnonon P. BOURDELAT,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Aberdeen, in the county of Moore and State of North Carolina, have invented new and useful Improvements in Signal-Lamps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in signal lamps and is particularly adapted for use on locomotive cabs, cabooses, and other cars at the end of the train.

In carrying out the present invention, it is my purpose to provide a'signal lamp which will be found especially useful on the front and rear ends of a train and which will throw a shaft of light skyward so that the engineer of afollowing train will be advised of the presence of a train ahead when the latter is rounding a curve or entering a deep cut.

It is also my purpose to provide a signal lamp wherein the usual front, rear and side lights will be displayed in addition to the sky light, thereby enabling the usual signals to be displayed in addition to the shaft of light projecting skyward.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a bracket for the lamp whereby the lamp will be so mounted that the same will be tilted in one direction or the other and held in tilted position, thereby enabling the lamp to be used on multiple track railroads to convey to the engineers of trains of the track occupied by the train equipped with my, improved signal lamp.

A further object of-my invention is the provision of a signal lamp of the type set forth which will embrace the desired features of simplicity, efficiency and durability, which will operate effectively under all conditions, and which will be electrically energized, and wherein the electrically energized illuminating devices may be removed in the event of defect therein, and an oil lamp substituted so that the train may proceed on its way displaying the usual front, rear and side signal lights.

lVith the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter set forth in and falling within the scope of the claims.

In the accompanying drawings;

Figure 1 is aview in side elevationof a signal lamp constructed in accordance with g the present invention, the same being shown mounted upon my improved bracket.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional View through the lamp.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal through.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the bracket.

Fig. 5 is a top plan viewof the lamp, one of the covers thereof being shown in open position.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, 1 designates a vertical cylindrical casing, having the lower end portion circumferentially reduced as at 2 and the upper end open. Secured to the inner wall of the cassectional view thereing 1 adjacent to the upper end thereofis a flange 3 forming a seat, while arranged within thecasing 1 is an inverted frusto c'onical'reflector 4 having the upper end flanged outwardly as at 5 and resting upon the seat formed by the flange 3 and the lower end alining with an opening 6 formed in the bottom wall of the casing. Suitably secured to the side wall 1 of the casing and engaging'the reflector at at an appropriate point is a reinforcing web 7, having a plurality of substantially cylindrical sections radiating therefrom and secured to the casing and acting to hold the reflector against vibration within the casing. Surrounding the upper open end'of the casing 1 and detachably secured thereto is a ring 8 carrying a lens 9. Mounted upon the upper end of the casing 1 is a cap 10 that is hinged to the side wall of the casing by means of a hinge 11 so that the cap may be swung onto and off of the casin This cap 10 is formed with ventilating openings 12. Pivotally connected to the casing 1 at diametrically opposite points adjacent to'the upper end of the casing is a bail or handle 13 and formed integral with the bearings of the bail or handle and projecting outwardly therefrom are lugs 14 designed to form rests for the bail to hold the latter in horizontal position when in inactive position and in this position of the bail the latter forms asupport for the cap 10 to hold thep cap in open position.

The casing 1, adjacent to the lower end thereof, is formed with light openings 15 alining with the cylindrical sections on the web 7 which are spaced apart equal distances around the casing and, in the present instance, four in number. Arranged within these light openings are lenses l6 respectively colored as is usual in signal lamps.

Detachably mounted in the bottom end of the casing l andcapable of removal from the casing through the opening 6 is an electric lamp receptacle 17 that alines with the lower end of the reflector 4:. Suitably secured to the lamp receptacle 17 concentrically thereof and cooperating with the reflector 4; is a concavo-convex reflector 4:. Mounted in the receptacle 17 is a lamp bulb 18 disposed within the reflector 4t and formed in the reflector 4 adjacent to the lower end thereof and alining with the light openings 15 respectively are apertures 19 by means of which the rays of light from the lamp bulb 18 may be projected through the lenses 16.

The receptacle 17 may be removed from 1 the casing, as previously stated, so that in the event of defect in the lamp bulb or the electrical system, an oil lamp may be inserted in the lower end of the casing in order-that the usual signal light may be displayed through the lenses 16 in the light openings 15.

In practice, when the lamp bulb 18 is energized, the usual signal lights are displayed through the lenses 16, while the reflector 4 also projects the light, through the lens 9, skyward so that a vertical shaft of light will be displayed above the train in order that the engineer of another train will be advis d of the presence of the lamp equipped train. This vertical shaft of light will be found especially useful for signaling purposes at curves and deep cuts, thereby warning an engineer not to approach too close to the curve or cut above which the vertical shaft of light is displayed.

On multiple railways, for instance, Where two lines of tracks are employed for trains in each direction, it may be desired to tilt my improved lamp at an angle so that the engineers of other trains will be advised of the track upon which the lamp equipped train is present. For this purpose, I employ a bracket 20 embodying a securing plate 21 adapted to be fastened to the engine cab, caboose or any other car and provided with an outwardly projecting arm 22 arranged in a horizontal plane. Pivotally mounted upon the arm are the legs of a yoke 23. The inner ends of the legs of the yoke 23 are formed with an opening 24'adapted for interchangeable aliuemeut with any one of a vertical series of openings 25 formed in the arm. pin 26 is designed to pass through the alining openings 24 and 25 to hold the about a vertical axis in the yokeso that the signal lights may be displayed to convey the desired signals.

While I have herein shown and described the preferred form of my invention by way of illustration, I wish it to be understood that I do not limit or confine myself to the precise details of construction herein described and delineated, as modification and variation may be made within the scope of the claims and without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A signal lantern comprising a casing supported for revoluble movement, an inverted frusto-conieal reflector disposed within said casing with its open end at the top of the casing, cylindrical sections spacing said reflector from said casing, said reflector and said casing being provided with openings alining with said sections, lenses disposed in said opening in the casing, a lens disposed in the upper end of said reflector, a source of light disposed within the lower end. of said reflector, and a cover hinged upon the top of said casing and movable over said last named lens to prevent the emission of rays of light.

2. A signal lantern comprising a cylindrical casing having a constricted portion adjacent its lower end and terminating below said constricted portion in an enlarged handhold, an annular flange within said casing adjacent its upper end. said casing being provided with a plurality of openings, lenses disposed in said openings, an inverted frusto-conical reflector within said casing and having its lower end disposed at the constricted portion of said easing and its upper end resting upon said flange, said reflector being provided with a plurality of openings alining with the openings in said casing, substantially cylindrical sections disposed between said casing and said reflector in aliuement with the openings there in and holding said casing and reflector in their spaced relation, a source of light within said reflector, a concave reflector disposed within the constricted portion of said casing, and a lens disposed within the upper end of said reflector.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

GEORGE I. BOURDELAT. 

